Will Donald Trump’s fiscal 26 budget plan leave 6 million homes without heat or air conditioning? This is endangered
If enacted, the program would withdraw all funds from the Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), putting nearly 6 million vulnerable American households at risk of losing heating and cooling.
Liheap faces full allocation under Trump’s budget
According to documents reviewed by the National Energy Assistance Association (NEADA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed fiscal year 26 budget will allocate zero funds to Liheap, as stated in a report in USA Today.
The program aims to help low-income families meet their home energy costs and has historically been a critical safety net, especially in extreme weather.
The U.S. federal government’s fiscal year will begin on October 1 and last until September 30.
Since Liheap in the proposal has no funds, it could leave up to 5.9 million households without help maintaining basic energy needs, including air conditioning in summer and heat in winter.
Early influence has been felt
Although the proposed budget cuts officially came into effect in FY26, direct consequences have been observed. Neada reported that 750,000 households may lose support this summer due to HHS layoffs within the LIHEAP division.
Earlier this month, the agency abandoned its entire Liheap team, effectively halting the allocation capacity of approximately $378 million in the current fiscal year.
Without staff to determine state allocations, the remaining funds cannot be paid, putting low-income families at a higher risk during the hot, temporary hot summer heat.
Criticism of Trump’s budget plan priorities
A decision to eliminate energy aid for the poor is proposed in a broader tax relief program for wealthy Americans.
“This budget removes important resources from the poorest families in the United States just to provide tax breaks for well-being,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of Neada. As in a report in USA Today, “this is unreasonable.”
Even a $500 energy grant could be the difference between family life and death, especially those facing extreme temperatures without the protection of utility enclosures, he added.
Wolf also warned that only 17 states and Washington, D.C. provide protection against disconnection of summer energy, further amplifying the danger.
Risk families across the United States
The proposed Liheap funding is at a time when one in six American household bills are lagging behind. Data shows that Americans currently owe about $21 billion in unpaid energy costs, up 30% since the end of 2023.
Most of the recipients of Liheap are among the most vulnerable in the United States: the elderly, the disabled and families with children.
About 70% of households receiving LIHEAP support include at least one of them at risk.
As debates over Donald Trump’s budget plan in Washington intensify, lawmakers and public advocacy groups are expected to strongly oppose the proposed cuts, citing serious humanitarian and economic consequences for millions of working-class families.
FAQ
What is Liheap?
Liheap stands for the energy assistance program for low-income households. This is a federally funded initiative that helps low-income families pay for basic heating and cooling services, especially in extreme weather conditions.
What changes have been proposed in Trump’s fiscal 26 budget?
According to a leaked proposal reviewed by USA Today, the FY26 Budget Plan recommends the removal of all federal funds for Lehapp. This will fund the program entirely starting October 1, 2025.
